I guess when you say you have pain you get in quick. I am having my root canal tomorrow. Today I seem to be functioning just fine, I took 4 ibuprofen this morning and will take another 4 at lunch. I know this isn't a good long term but it was a dosage I was told take for a short time. I can't take vicodin at work, it makes me loopy. You know you're in pain when you are giddy that they can get you in for the root canal next day.